Say Hey (I Love You)

"Say Hey (I Love You)"
Single by Michael Franti & Spearhead featuring Cherine Anderson
from the album All Rebel Rockers
ReleasedSeptember 11, 2008
Recorded2008
Genre
Length3:55 (Album Version)
3:40 (Radio Edit)
LabelANTI-
Songwriter(s)Michael Franti, Carl Young
Michael Franti & Spearhead featuring Cherine Anderson singles chronology
"Say Hey (I Love You)"
(2008) 		"Shake It"
(2010)

"Say Hey (I Love You)" is a single by Michael Franti & Spearhead featuring Jamaican soul singer Cherine Anderson released in 2008 from their album All Rebel Rockers. The single was produced by Sly & Robbie. The music video peaked at number 5 on the VH1 Top 20 countdown and the single peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Franti's first Hot 100 chart entry. It also peaked at number 3 on Billboard Digital Songs, number 1 on Billboard R&B Songs, and number 3 on Billboard Modern Rock Songs. Digital sales of "Say Hey (I Love You)" have topped 120,000 downloads.[6]

The music video for this song was filmed at Vigário Geral favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.[7]

Background

In a January 2010 interview, Franti explained he wrote the lyrics to this song in the steam of a mirror just after a shower. He joked to noted UK R&B writer Pete Lewis of the award-winning Blues & Soul: "I was staying at (US actor) Woody Harrelson's house. And, when Woody called and asked how the songwriting was going, I was like 'It's going great! I think I just wrote a hit song in the bathroom!'... And straightaway he was like 'So, is it a Number One or a Number Two?'!!"[8]

Use in other media

On April 15, 2009, Craig Ferguson did a lipsync of the song with his cast and puppets on "The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson".[9] The song appeared in the Showtime series Weeds for a flash mob in the season five premiere episode and during the opening credits of the 2010 film Valentine's Day. It also appeared in the 2010 films Ramona and Beezus and The Back-Up Plan and the 2011 films Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star and Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked. This song is featured in EA Sports video game 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa. It was also featured in a 2010 advertisement for Corona Light beer, and in advertisements for The Oprah Winfrey Show's final season. Franti recorded a version with alternate lyrics in support of the San Francisco Giants in connection with their World Series appearance in 2010.[10] The song is featured in the 2015 animated musical comedy Strange Magic. It is played in the sequel Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2.

Chart positions

Cover versions

The song was covered for the 2015 film Strange Magic.[22]

Certifications

Country Certification
(sales thresholds)
United States 2× Platinum[23]

References

  1. ^ Parker, Chris (July 30, 2009). "Michael Franti Keeps It Political". Dallas Observer. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  2. ^ Linn, Sarah (November 6, 2014). "Michael Franti brings good vibes to San Luis Obispo". The Tribune. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  3. ^ Michael Franti & Spearhead Essentials Apple Music Alternative Apple Music Preview Retrieved July 13, 2019
  4. ^ Lawler, Christa (July 8, 2011). "Singer Michael Franti brings 'stay human' message to Duluth". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  5. ^ Liparoto, Carole (May 14, 2010). "MICHAEL FRANTI AND SPEARHEAD". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  6. ^ Michael Franti "Say Hey (I Love You)" Digital Single Sales Top 120,000, Anti.com (2009-06-04).
  7. ^ "ANTI-".
  8. ^ Michael Franti & Spearhead interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' February 2010
  9. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULW2h_TK2Ik
  10. ^ "Say Hey (I Love You) - Giants Version". michaelfranti.com.
  11. ^ "Michael Franti & Spearhead – Say Hey (I Love You)" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  12. ^ "Michael Franti & Spearhead Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  13. ^ "Michael Franti & Spearhead – Say Hey (I Love You)". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  14. ^ "Michael Franti & Spearhead Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  15. ^ "Michael Franti & Spearhead Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  16. ^ "Michael Franti & Spearhead Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  17. ^ "Michael Franti & Spearhead Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  18. ^ "Michael Franti & Spearhead Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  19. ^ "Michael Franti & Spearhead Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  20. ^ "Hot 100 Songs: 2009 Year-end". Billboard.com. 2 January 2013. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
  21. ^ "Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2009". Billboard. 2 January 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  22. ^ Strange Magic (2015) - Soundtracks - IMDb, retrieved 2023-03-18
  23. ^ "RIAA". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on 2007-06-26. Retrieved 2011-10-23.